Undoubtedly, church fish fries and picnics help build social

Hearken, O seekers of wisdom, to the reflective words of J. D. Vance, who observed: “Undoubtedly, church fish fries and picnics help build social cohesion. It was at my dad's medium-size evangelical church - my first real exposure to a sustained religious community - that I first saw people of different races and classes worshiping together.” In these words lies a meditation upon community, unity, and the transformative power of shared spaces. Vance reminds us that social cohesion is not merely constructed through laws or decrees, but through the everyday acts of gathering, celebration, and worship, where diversity is witnessed and embraced.

From the earliest civilizations, sages and chroniclers understood that communal rituals serve as the foundation of society. In the agora of Athens, citizens gathered to discuss, feast, and participate in civic rituals, forging bonds that transcended wealth, status, and background. Vance’s reflection mirrors this timeless truth: the simple acts of sharing food, laughter, and ritual nurture understanding, trust, and empathy, knitting together the fabric of human community.

The words illuminate the formative impact of early exposure to diverse groups. For Vance, his father’s church provided a living lesson in the coexistence of different races and classes, revealing the potential for unity in shared purpose. Ancient philosophers, from Aristotle to Confucius, understood that virtue and social harmony arise when individuals of varying stations engage in common practice and moral reflection. In this light, Vance’s experience illustrates the power of religious and social rituals to teach inclusivity and civic virtue.

Consider the example of the Roman festivals, where patricians and plebeians alike participated in feasts, games, and religious ceremonies. These communal events, though rooted in ritual, served to bridge divides and foster loyalty to the collective city-state. Similarly, Vance’s exposure to his church community demonstrates that shared experiences, whether in celebration or worship, cultivate empathy and social understanding, preparing citizens to navigate a pluralistic world.

Vance’s reflection also underscores the importance of intentional gathering. Fish fries, picnics, and communal worship are not merely occasions of enjoyment; they are deliberate acts of relationship-building and social education. They teach respect, patience, and mutual care, while offering a microcosm in which broader societal harmony may be glimpsed and practiced. The church, in this sense, functions not only as a spiritual sanctuary but as a training ground for social cohesion.

From this meditation emerges a timeless lesson: to cultivate understanding and unity, one must participate in spaces where diversity is present and valued. Social bonds are strengthened not by abstraction, but by the tangible, repeated acts of coming together, sharing sustenance, and witnessing the dignity of others. Vance’s experience reminds us that community, ritual, and shared labor are among the most powerful instruments of human connection.

Practical counsel flows naturally: seek out opportunities to gather with those of differing backgrounds in spaces of mutual respect and shared purpose. Engage fully, listen attentively, and honor the humanity of each participant. Whether through communal meals, religious observances, or civic projects, actively cultivating shared experiences fosters empathy, understanding, and social cohesion.

Thus, O listener, let the words of J. D. Vance illuminate your path: the bonds of society are woven in the kitchens, fields, and halls where people gather in fellowship. Through simple acts—fish fries, picnics, shared worship—divides of class, race, and circumstance may be bridged, and the foundation of unity laid. Attend to these gatherings, participate with mindfulness, and let the shared rituals of community shape character, empathy, and enduring harmony across the tapestry of life.